Archie Goodwin & Snap Malek–Twins Separated at Birth?
December 14, 2012 8 Comments
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Since I began writing the Steve “Snap” Malek Chicago historical mysteries for Echelon Press nearly a decade ago, several readers have commented that the brash Malek, a police reporter for the Chicago Tribune, bore a decided similarity to the equally brash Archie Goodwin, the narrator of the Nero Wolfe stories and Wolfe’s right-hand man.
Not surprising, because before publishing my five Malek books, I had written seven Nero Wolfe novels in the 1980s and ’90s, continuing the series created by the late Rex Stout. Had I purposely created Malek in Goodwin’s image, these readers asked? The answer: I’m not altogether sure.
Probably somewhere in my subconscious, I wanted to at least partially clone Archie Goodwin, whom I feel to be one of the most colorful and memorable characters in the history of American detective fiction. In Snap Malek, there are many parallels to Archie, along with marked differences.
Among the similarities: Both Archie and Snap are self-assured to the point of cockiness. Both are street-smart as well as steadfast in the face of danger. Both tend in their headstrong attitudes to rile their superiors–Nero Wolfe and the Chicago Tribune, respectively. And both have an ambivalent attitude toward the major law officer in their stories–New York Police Inspector Cramer and Chicago Police Detective Chief Fergus Fahey. (I also have been accused of fashioning Fahey into a carbon copy of Cramer; let me mull over that charge.)
As to some differences: Snap has battled alcoholism, Archie drinks only in moderation. Snap is married (for the second time), Archie is a bachelor, albeit with a longtime girlfriend, Lily Rowan. Snap lives in a suburban Chicago home, Archie dwells in that legendary brownstone in the heart of Manhattan.
Now that I am back to writing about Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin after an 18-year hiatus (“Archie Meets Nero Wolfe”), I wonder if readers who knew only of my Snap Malek stories will pick up this new book and ask me: Did you model this Archie Goodwin fellow on Snap Malek?
Thanks for sending this, and congratulations on the book. I really loved reading it. Best, Marilyn Schaffer Chair, The Assembly Program for the Nero Wolfe Pack.
From: Robert Goldsborough Reply-To: Robert Goldsborough Date: Friday, December 14, 2012 11:44 AM To: Marilyn Subject: [New post] Archie Goodwin & Snap MalekTwins Separated at Birth?
WordPress.com Karen Syed posted: “ Click Cover to Buy Now! Since I began writing the Steve “Snap” Malek Chicago historical mysteries for Echelon Press nearly a decade ago, several readers have commented that the brash M”
Thanks for your kind comment about “Archie Meets Nero Wolfe,” Marilyn. It was great fun to write.
Robert Goldsborough
Dear Mr. Goldsborough,
I am so excited that this book and all of your Nero Wolfe mysteries are available for download on Kindle! I own the entire Rex Stout library on my Kindle, and I am so thrilled that I can now add all of your books to my collection to keep up with Wolfe’s antics. Thank you and keep up the great work!
Thank you very much for your comments, Derrick.
Robert Goldsborough
I bought Archie Meets. . . For a Christmas gift for myself. Loved it! I hope to more of both the Nero Wolfe mysteries and Snap Malek in the near future. Thank you
I appreciate your comments, Margaret. I am currently working on another Nero Wolfe mystery.
Robert Goldsborough
I really enjoyed this book. I hope your furture books will be set in the Nero and Archie early years.
Thanks Kathy. I am now working on a book in what I would call Nero and Archie’s “middle years,” i.e., the 1950s.
Robert Goldsborough